Easthampton High School cheerleaders advance to state finals in secondary school tournament

The Republican | David MolnarThe Easthampton High School cheerleading squad practices a pyramid as it gets ready for the upcoming state finals.

EASTHAMPTON – The high school cheerleading squad will head east this weekend to compete in the state finals after winning the regional title Sunday.

The Division III Eagles placed first over the Division III Hoosac Valley Regional High School Hurricanes at the Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association Winter 2011 Regional Championship. Both teams will advance to the next round at Wachusett Regional High School in Holden this Sunday.

Eagles captain Lauren Peck, a senior, credits the victory to the team’s determination and “heart.”

“We’ve really cracked down and focused,” she said. “This year, mostly, we just wanted to win.”

Peck said that she doesn’t expect to advance to the Nationals because, to win the state title, the team needs a score of 80 out of 100 or to place third overall. She said the team generally does not receive such high marks.

The team has never advanced to the national championships.

“It would definitely be a reach for our team,” she said. “But you never know what’s going to happen.”

Coach Maura Lally echoed that sentiment.

“We go (to states) just to do our best and beat our own past scores,” said Lally. Some other teams practice more often and some members train in All-Star gyms that specialize in cheerleading, but those resources aren’t available to the Eagles.

“I’ve seen everything the Central and Eastern Mass. teams have to offer,” said Peck. “Our goal is to go out there and really show them what we've got.”

Since winter 2004, the Eagles have advanced to the state finals every year, except in 2010. Lally said this year’s comeback is due to a more experienced squad.

The team is composed of Peck, the only senior, three juniors, five sophomores and three freshmen.

The 12-member squad will put on a music/dance and cheer routine under three minutes long, the same routine that won them the regional title.

Three minutes may not sound like a long time, but putting together that routine can be arduous, Lally said.

“It takes a lot of energy,” she said. “Generally, some of them have to run outside after (practice) or use their inhalers.”

Peck said practice can last up to four hours.

“We’re kind of lacking in the gymnastics and the elite stunts” but the judges give the team credit for its drive to win, she said.

“Even though we don’t have All-Star gyms out here, good teams can come out of Western Mass.,” she said.